Foilshop UK explainer: Why are Witchcraft Fuerteventura windsurf sails so good for windfoiling?

Pics: James Jagger, Nick Kingston.

Witchcraft Fuerteventura have been in the windsurfing game for years. Based on the Canarian Island of Fuerteventura Bouke Becker’s boards hold a lot of favour across the globe. Whilst much of the brand’s testing is done across the island’s long list of quality but seriously reefy spots the gear also works in real world conditions you find elsewhere. And this goes for Witchcraft’s range of Slayer (four batten) and Karma (five batten) windsurf sails as well.

We’re extremely fond of both the Karma and Slayer ranges here at Foilshop UK, having tested/used most sizes from both lines over the years. Both designs remain the same (more or less) season on season, bar a few colour changes and the odd tweak here and there. This is great for riders who will never feel they need to upgrade just for the sheer sake of it. Oh, and the sails are absolutely bombproof, a tag not given lightly considering Witchcraft windsurf sails are tested to destruction in some of heaviest wave sailing conditions on the planet.

So yes, Witchcraft windsurfing sails are great for windsurfing…but they’re also absolutely top drawer for windfoiling. This isn’t always the case with windsurf sails. Of course, most brand rigs can be used but some are always going to be better than others when talking non-specific windfoil sails. So why is this?

Witchcraft windsurf sails are designed with pre-shape. There’s plenty of tuning range available, the rider able to tweak settings according to wind conditions. For windfoiling, however, which most riders do in light wind, having some inbuilt shape (belly) means both the Slayer and Karma power up more efficiently as the lightest of gusts hit. Unlike a flat setting windsurf sail, which requires the weight of the wind, as well as its strength to billow and power, this isn’t the case with Witchcraft’s offerings. Add to this the superior balance of the higher aspect five batten Karma and the additional bottom end grunt of WC’s Slayer four batten and you have a pair of windfoiling weapons that’ll see any frequent flyer right across a whole host of foiling scenarios. With, of course, the additional windsurfing performance you get for when you don’t feel like levitating.

If you have any questions about either Witchcraft’s Karma or Slayer windsurf/windfoil sail range give us a shout at Foilshop UK.